Rotary International District 7170 Youth Exchange Program

1. Rotary International District 7170Youth Exchange Program Sexual Abuse and Harassment Training www.rotary-youth-exchange.com

2. Student Protection PolicyDistrict Committee & YEO training • Our Mission • Session 1 – Awareness and Prevention • Session 2 – Recognizing Problems and Reporting • Session 3 – Developing a Support System for Youth Exchange Students • Summary

3. Our Mission Rotary International District 7170 Youth Exchange Program is committed to creating and maintaining the safest possible environment for all our Youth Exchange Students, both inbound and outbound. We do this by: • Recognizing that all young people have the right to freedom from harassment & abuse. • Ensuring that all our staff and volunteers are carefully selected, trained and accept responsibility for helping to prevent the abuse of children in their care. • Responding swiftly and appropriately to all suspicions or allegations of harassment and/or abuse, and by providing adults and young people with the opportunity to voice any concern they may have. • Appointing a District 7170 Exchange Student Protection Officer who will act as the main point of contact for parents, children, host families and outside agencies. • Ensuring that access to confidential information is restricted. • Reviewing the effectiveness of our Exchange Student Protection Policy and activities periodically. -

4. Session 2-Awareness and Prevention Statement of Conduct for Working with Youth Rotary International is committed to creating and maintaining the safest possible environment for all participants in Rotary activities. It is the duty of all Rotarians, Rotarians’ spouses, partners, and other volunteers to safeguard to the best of their ability the welfare of and to prevent the physical, sexual, or emotional abuse of children and young people with whom they come in contact. -

5. Welcome to District 7170 Youth Exchange • Why are you interested in volunteering in Rotary International District 7170 Youth Exchange Program? • What specific actions can you take in support of the Statement of Conduct for working with Youth? • What are the benefits of abuse and harassment prevention for organizations that serve youth? -

6. Definition of Abuse • Sexual abuse – Engaging in implicit or explicit sexual acts with a student or forcing or encouraging a student to engage in implicit or explicit sexual acts alone or with another person of any age, of the same sex or the opposite sex. Sexual abuse also includes non-touching offenses, such as indecent exposure and exposing a child to sexual or pornographic material.

7. Definition of Harassment • Sexual Harassment – Sexual advances, request for sexual favors or verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. In some cases, sexual harassment precedes sexual abuse and is used by sexual predators to desensitize or groom their victims. • Some examples of sexual harassment include; • Sexual epithets, jokes, written or spoken references to sexual conduct, speaking about one’s sex life in the presence of a young person, comments about an individual’s sexual activity, deficiencies, or prowess. • Verbal abuse of a sexual nature • Displaying sexually suggestive objects, pictures or drawings. • Sexual leering or whistling, any inappropriate physical contact such as brushing or touching, obscene language or gestures, and suggestive or insulting comments. -

8. Definitions of Abuse and Harassment • Is it Abuse or Harassment? Whether the alleged conduct amounts to sexual abuse or sexual harassment is not to be determined by the adult to whom allegations are made. Treat all allegations seriously. -

9. True or False: Abuse and Harassment Facts • Most sexual abuse and harassment is committed by strangers False. Most abuse is committed by someone the victim knows and trusts (approx. 90% of sex offenders were relatives or acquaintances of their victims). • Teenagers often make up charges of sexual abuse or harassment to get attention or to get what they want from adults. False. Only 1% to 4% of sexual abuse reports are fabricated. • If a teacher brushes up against a student, only an oversensitive teenager will suffer significant emotional harm. False. The possibility of significant emotional harm is present whether sexual abuse or harassment occurs. The level of trauma suffered depends on many factors, and “normal” teens can be affected to varying degrees (for example, feeling powerless to stop the situation or confused, ashamed, or isolated). • If an adult gets along well with young people, it’s very unlikely that he or she is a sexual offender. False. Offenders often cultivate an image of being “good with young people” in order to gain trust from the community and victims.

10. True or False – Abuse and Harassment FactsContinued • A teenager who drinks alcohol, takes drugs, or stays out late at dance clubs is asking to be a victim of sexual abuse or harassment. False. Poor judgment and inexperience do not mean that a student deserves to be abused. • Teenage victims of sexual abuse and harassment often try to keep it a secret because they may feel responsible for what’s happening. True. Young people who are just growing into their sexuality are often unsure of appropriate behavior and, therefore, may not immediately object if they feel uncomfortable. As a result, teens often feel that they have participated in the activity or “led on” the offender. Social stigmas about sexuality also contribute to feelings of shame. This is especially likely in the Youth Exchange context, where inexperience with the host culture can add to the teen’s confusion.

11. True or False – Abuse and Harassment Facts Continued • An adult volunteer gossiping about a female student’s figure is sexual harassment. True. Within Rotary’s definition, gossiping about and referring to a person’s sexual attractiveness or deficiency constitute harassment. The gender of the harasser is irrelevant. • Males can be sexually abused by females. True. Males can be abused by females. Abuse is “engaging in implicit or explicit sexual acts with a student or forcing or encouraging a student to engage in implicit or explicit sexual acts alone or with another person of any age, of the same sex or the opposite sex.” Among reported cases of sexual abuse against boys, 14% were committed by females. • An adult host brother leaving pornographic magazines in an exchange student’s room is sexual abuse. True. Exposing a child to sexual or pornographic material is sexual abuse. -

12. As an adult volunteer working with youth, what actions can you take to protect young people participating in the program? Typical responses: • Treat all youth participants with respect. • Ensure that all policies for youth protection are followed, including rules for driving, supervision, and safety. • Show youth participants that you are approachable and willing to listen to their problems. • Provide youth participants with contact information for individuals they can go to with questions or concerns. • Identify situations that might pose a special risk. • Be aware that even the most mature teen is not yet an adult and that teens may misconstrue some conversations and actions. -

13. What safeguards are in place for young people participating in the program? Typical responses: • Adult volunteers are carefully selected, screened, and trained. • Guidelines may be set so that no one adult is alone with one young person. • Support is provided by the many adults involved in the program. -

14. What tools are in place to help prevent abuse and harassment of youth participants? Typical responses • Policy – emphasizing protection • Selection and screening of volunteers and youth participants • Training of volunteers, youth participants, and parents. • Support and communication with youth participants, Rotary clubs, community members. • Committed program participants including Rotarians, non-Rotarians, and youth united in the aim of providing the best possible experience to youth. -

15. District 7170 Chain of Communication As a District 7170 Youth Exchange volunteer, a student may come to you with an allegation of sexual abuse or harassment. • If you are a parent – Report the incident to the Youth Protection Officer and the District Chair • If you are a club youth exchange officer Report to the Youth Protection Officer and the District Chair • If you are a club counselor Report to the Youth Protection Officer and the District Chair • If you are a District Committee member Report to the Youth Protection Officer and the District Chair • If you are the District Chair Report to the Youth Protection Officer, Club YEO, District Governor, Rotary International, Responsible Officer and to the Country Contact, who will work through his partner in sponsoring country to notify the student’s parents. -

16. Role of the Host Family • Provide a safe, nonthreatening, respectful, and appropriate environment in which trust and friendship between you and the student can develop. • Support the student and make the student feel part of your family. Listen to the student. • Maintain close contact with the host Rotary club so that any problems can be addressed and resolved quickly. • Participate in training and orientation offered by the Rotary club or district for host families. • Be informed of any special needs your student may have, such as dietary restrictions or medical concerns. • Ensure the student knows how to contact the people in his or her support network, and do not feel threatened if the student feels unable to discuss problems with you. • Voice any questions or concerns you may have about your student – even seemingly insignificant ones – to the student’s counselor or host Rotary club chair or district Youth Exchange chair.

17. Role of the Host Family (Continued) • Know how to contact Rotary representatives and community services quickly in case of an emergency. • Establish communication with your student before he or she comes to live with your family; if possible, communicate with student’s family at home. • Provide room and board for your student. The student must have his or her own bed. If the student must share a room, it should be with a child of the same gender and similar age, if possible. • Celebrate your student’s birthday and other special occasions. • Exercise supervisory and parental responsibility to ensure your student’s well-being. • Strive to understand the challenges your student is facing as he or she experiences life in a new country. • Help your student become involved in community life by introducing him or her to neighbors, friends, and community groups. • Teach your student about your culture and learn about the culture in your student’s home country. • Understand the program rules applicable to the student and to your family. • Throughout the exchange, advise your student about matters such as school, family, community functions and choosing friends. -

18. Key Points • Sexual abuse and harassment are real problems that any young person may face. • All adult volunteers are responsible for ensuring the safety of youth participants. -

19. Session 2 – Recognizing Problems and Reporting • Rotary International takes youth protection very seriously and has specific guidelines for handling allegations of sexual abuse and harassment. • Rotary’s abuse prevention system has many layers that work together, and each participant has a role to play. For example, district Youth Exchange committee creates a youth protection policy, and district or club officers carefully screen and select each adult involved in the Youth Exchange program • Every allegation of sexual abuse or harassment must be taken seriously. Criminal allegations must be reported to the appropriate authorities. -

20. Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms of Abuse and Harassment Signs and symptoms of sexual abuse and harassment may include: • Extreme activity or withdrawal • Displays of low self-esteem • Expressing general feeling of shame • Fear, particularly toward certain individuals • Declining school performance • Eating disorder • Insomnia • Irritability or angry outbursts

21. Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms of Abuse and Harassment (Continued) • Difficulty concentrating • Avoidance of people, places, and things that might remind him or her of the incident • Anxiety or depression • Nightmares • Headache, gastrointestinal distress, or abdominal, back or pelvic pain • Suicidal thoughts • Involvement with drugs or alcohol • Aggressive/risk-taking behavior or antisocial behavior. -

22. What challenges might your students experience in adjusting to their new environments? • Homesickness • Language difficulty • Difficulty making friends • Difficulty interpreting culture-specific social cues • Host family conflicts • Discipline or attitude problems • Other emotional difficulties -

23. How will you know when your student is facing these challenges? The student – • Talks to counselor about academic struggles, homesickness, language difficulty, or related problems • Asks to move to a new host family • Doesn’t seem to be learning the language of the host country • Doesn’t talk about new friends or positive activities • Calls home frequently • Becomes irritable or has angry outbursts The host family or school officials – • Complain of attitude problems • Notify you of poor academic performance • Share concerns about inadequate social adjustments. -

24. What should you do if you recognize any of these signs? Talk to the student about the signs you are seeing. • Ask open-ended questions that get the student talking. • Help the student find activities to become involved in. • Offer or help arrange additional language assistance. • Encourage the student to speak with the host family or serve as a mediator between the student and the host family. • Speak with school or community members to arrange help for the student. • Seek support services such as medical assistance, counseling, or support hotlines. • Notify your district Youth Exchange chair if local action fails to resolve how-level challenges or if a serious problem occurs. -

25. What student actions or behaviors might lead you to suspect a student is being abused or harassed? • Expresses sudden, unexplained homesickness. • Becomes extremely active or withdrawn. • Displays low self-esteem. • Expresses general feelings of shame. • Begins performing badly in school. • Develops an eating disorder (especially common for girls). • Becomes aggressive or a “risk-taker” (especially common for boys). • Has trouble sleeping or has nightmares. • Becomes irritable or has angry outbursts. • Becomes anxious or depressed. • Displays symptoms of physical tension, such as headaches, stomach trouble, back pain. • Has suicidal thoughts or engages in self-destructive behavior. • Becomes involved with drugs or alcohol. -

26. Recognizing the Signs The signs of abuse and harassment are often the same as other problems. Watch for: • Sudden changes in behavior • Clusters of symptoms • Drop off in school performance -

27. Case Study - Rita Rita, 17, is an outgoing, trusting and intelligent girl who was eager to begin her year abroad to experience living in another country. When Rita arrived, she found a Rotary club excited to host her and a district dedicated to making her feel that she is part of a strong group. She has made friends both in school and among the other exchange students. She is very popular with adults and student alike. Now, halfway through her exchange, a progress report from Rita’s host club indicates that she has missed the past three Rotary meetings, which she was required to attend. In the report, Rita’s new host family notes that Rita won’t participate in family activities or even clean up her room and she refuses to eat the food her host mother prepares.

28. Case Study – RitaContinued • What kinds of problems do you think Rita might be experiencing? • How can you tell whether these are signs that Rita is experiencing sexual abuse or harassment or that she is having some other kind of problem? • What additional information do you need if you haven’t seen Rita in person lately? • What do you think is the best way to approach Rita to find out what is going on?

29. Case Study – RitaContinued Key Points – • The signs of sexual abuse and harassment are often difficult to distinguish from cultural adjustments, attitude problems, drug use or other trouble. Take the time to learn what is really going on. • Watch for sudden changes in behavior or cluster of symptoms • Each young person is an individual and will respond uniquely. • Understand that young people may behave poorly not because they are “bad kids” but because they may have suffered psychological or physical trauma. This trauma may have occurred before or during participation in the program. -

30. In some cases, a youth participant will report to someone that he or she has been abused or harassed. Who should be prepared for this situation? • All adult volunteers and others involved with young people. • The student’s parents • Teachers, clergy or other adults involved with the young person who may act as an intermediary to report an allegation • Fellow Youth Exchange students • Host families, including host siblings who may be closer in age to the student • Club and district officers, Rotarian counselors and their spouses. -

31. Key Points • A victim of abuse or harassment will report to someone he or she feels comfortable with. This could be a peer, teacher or other trusted adult or relative. • Students often first report a problem of abuse or harassment to their parents. • Often a student will share an experience with a peer instead of an adult.

32. Key Points Continued • A young person involved in an abuse situation may feel more comfortable reporting to someone of a specific gender. Sometimes the first person a young person reports to is the spouse of a club or district leader. • Effective orientation program for youth participants should focus on the importance of immediately reporting any incident of abuse or harassment and specific information on how to report. • District 7170 has adopted guidelines to follow when there is a report of sexual abuse or harassment. -

33. What should you do if a student reports an incidence of abuse or harassment or if you suspect that abuse or harassment has occurred? • Act immediately to ensure the student’s safety. This may involve removing a student from an activity or host family. • Reassure the student that you believe his or her report and that the student was right to report. • Respond to an allegation non-judgmentally • Understand a student’s emotional and physical needs in the event of an incident.

34. What should you do if a student reports an incident of abuse or harassment or if you suspect that abuse or harassment has occurred?Continued • Talk to the student about the signs you are seeing. If the student wishes not to speak with you or the counselor about the situation, strongly encourage the student to talk to someone else. • Report the allegation to the Youth Protection Officer and the District Chair • Seek support services for the student, such as medical assistance, hotlines and counseling. -

35. Key Points • Suspected abuse and harassment must be treated as serious safety concerns. • All allegations of sexual abuse or harassment must be taken seriously, though the appropriate response to suspicions of abuse or harassment can vary from country to country. • The first priority is to protect the student’s safety. Even a low level of suspicion should trigger an active response. -

36. Steps to Responding to an Allegation • Receiving a report • Immediate response • Follow-through -

37. Receiving a Report of an AllegationReporting Procedures Report from Student or other individual • Listen attentively & stay calm • Assure privacy but not confidentiality • Get facts but do not interrogate • Be non-judgmental and reassuring • Protect the student • Report to D7170 Youth Protection Officer and the district chair • Avoid gossip and blame • Do NOT challenge the alleged offender • Follow-up -

38. Responding To AllegationsImmediate response • All Youth Exchange volunteers should be instructed to report to the District 7170 Youth Exchange Chairperson and the Protection Officer immediately. • District Youth Exchange officers should take responsibility for ensuring that each step of the procedure is followed. • If an allegation is made against any adult volunteer involved in the Youth Exchange program, he or she must immediately step down from his or her position and cooperate with any investigation(s). -

39. Follow-through • Provide support services to the student. • Remove the alleged offender from contact with youth for the duration of the investigation. • Cooperate with law enforcement authorities. • Offer an independent, non-Rotarian counselor to the student. • Offer the student the option of staying in the host country or going home (with parents’ written approval). • Contact the student’s parents, usually through sponsor district chair. • Contact the district Youth Exchange chair in the partner district. -

40. Responsibilities of D7170 YE Chairperson • Notify District Governor & keep him/her informed • Notify Host Club YEO/Counselor/President • Notify Country Contact, who will contact student’s parents & Sponsor Rotary District • Notify RI and Responsible Officer within 72 hours as appropriate • Emphasize confidentiality of information and need to not speculate or comment -

41. District ChairFollow-through • Provide follow-up reports to Rotary International • Educate others who may be acting on misconceptions about abuse and harassment. • Do not allow anyone to punish the student for reporting the incident. • Make sure that the student’s safety is the first consideration when any decision is made. • Do not “side” with the alleged offender. • Make sure that everyone involved is informed – this could include the student, the student’s parents, the host family, the host and sponsor districts, the host and sponsor clubs, or school officials.

42. Follow Through Continued • If the student wants to continue with the exchange, consider transferring him or her to a new host family, host club, or school rather than sending the student home early. • Ensure that any decision made is based on thorough investigation rather than gossip and innuendos. -

43. What procedures should be followed with respect to the adult against whom the allegations have been made? • While an investigation is pending, the person should have no contact with youth in a Rotary International program or activity. • If a law enforcement investigation in inconclusive, District 7170 has a review committee in place to recommend the best course of action. -

44. Key Point If the adult confesses, is convicted, or is otherwise found guilty of sexual abuse or harassment, he or she must be permanently barred from Rotary youth programs. If the person is a Rotarian, he or she must be removed from membership in the Rotary club and barred from membership in other Rotary clubs. -

45. When to send a student home? Students who experience sexual abuse or harassment may not report it because they fear that they will automatically be sent home. • Ask the student which option he or she would prefer, and share this information with the student’s parents or legal guardian (their written authorization is required should a student wish to remain). Young people who suffer sexual abuse or harassment often feel powerless, so it’s important to give them the opportunity to make choices when possible. • Teach others that victims of abuse and harassment often resort to antisocial behavior because of their trauma and should be given support services rather than punishment or criticism. • Don’t allow anyone to punish the student for reporting the incident. -

46. YE Volunteer Code of Ethics • Do: • treat all young people with respect and be aware of their reactions to your tone of voice and manner • remember that is it okay to touch young people in a way that is not intrusive or disturbing to him/her or to observers. • make sure that any allegations are recorded and acted upon, according to District 7170 Youth Protection Policy. • Do Not: • engage in rough physical games including horseplay • use physical force in any way, especially as a form of punishment • touch a young person in an intrusive or sexual manner • make sexually suggestive comments to a young person, even as a joke • Try to Avoid: • spending too much time alone with a youth exchange student. Such situations may lead to misunderstandings. -

47. Rotary Issues & Privacy • Most important concern is victim • Rotarians should not speculate, make editorial comments to media or others or offer personal opinions. “No Comment” is appropriate. • Members should be cautioned about commenting on the situation and possibilities of slander or libel claims • If Rotarian is accused – remove from all possible contact with victim and other youth and treat as other accused would be treated -

48. Developing a Support System for Youth Exchange Students • The Rotary Youth Exchange program has the highest participation rates among RI Structured Programs (90% of all district participate. • An effective abuse and harassment prevention and management plan is critical to the continued success of this program. -

49. Role of the Rotarian Counselor • Be an advocate for the student. • Support student and make student feel part of the Rotary family. • Be the liaison between student and Rotary club, host family, school and community at large. • Provide guidance and counseling to student in matters such as choosing classes, friends, and activities. • Assist student in adapting to culture and concerns. • Maintain and document regular contact (at least once a month) with student. • Listen attentively to student’s comments and concerns.

50. Role of the Rotarian Counselor (Continued) • Provide student with general information about host club and area, including a list of contact information for people and organizations student can contact if he or she needs help. • Establish contact with student before arrival and explain expectation of club and district. • Work with community and student’s school to ensure that student is involved in positive activities and community life. • Help inform student about sexual abuse and harassment and create a supportive atmosphere in which student feels comfortable to discuss his or her concerns, • Know district and RI policy on abuse and harassment prevention. • Be aware of signs and symptoms of sexual abuse and harassment and appropriate actions to take. -